Axle adapter assembly

Abstract

An axle adapter assembly, configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, including: an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork; adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts; the adapters configured for engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An adapter configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, wherein said adapter comprises:
 a tube configured for insertion within a dropout of a first fork leg, said tube comprising:
 a wall configured for tightly engaging an outer surface of an axle; 
 a first end, wherein said first end comprises:
 a shoulder extending longitudinally beyond an inner surface of said dropout, wherein said shoulder comprises:
 a lip extension configured for holding an edge of a wheel hub of said wheel hubs; and 
 
 
 a second end, a length of said tube being defined from said first end to said second end, said wall comprising:
 a lengthwise slit defined therein along a longitudinal axis of said tube from said first end to said second end, wherein said lengthwise slit is configured for receiving a hanging tab of an axle pinch shim, thereby positioning said tube with said dropout such that said lip extension holds said edge of said wheel hub during at least one of installation and removal of said axle. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said lengthwise slit comprises:
 a jagged pattern disposed at said second end of said tube, wherein said jagged pattern is configured for limiting lateral movement of said axle pinch shim. 
 
     
     
       3. An axle pinch shim configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, wherein said axle pinch shim comprises:
 a width and a length, said width configured for enabling said axle pinch shim to be disposed within an opening of a dropout, said length having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, wherein said dropout comprises:
 a split-clamp pinch bearing defining said opening, said split-clamp pinch bearing comprising:
 a first opposing clamp end; and 
 a second opposing clamp end, wherein said first opposing clamp end and said second opposing clamp end comprises aligned pinch bolt holes configured for receiving pinch bolts; and 
 
 
 axle pinch shim bolt holes disposed in said first side of said length of said axle pinch shim and aligned with said pinch bolt holes, said axle pinch shim bolt holes configured for receiving said pinch bolts. 
 
     
     
       4. The axle pinch shim of  claim 3 , wherein said second side of said length comprises furthcr comprising:
 a hanging tab configured for being inserted into a slit of a device that has been inserted into said dropout, such that said hanging tab prevents at least a rotational movement of said device within said dropout during at least one of installation and removal of said axle, wherein said hanging tab is without holes disposed therein. 
 
     
     
       5. An axle adapter assembly configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, wherein said axle adapter assembly comprises:
 an axle comprising a first end and a second end, said axle configured for coupling fork legs of a suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle, wherein a first fork leg and a second fork leg of said fork legs comprise a first dropout and a second dropout, respectively; 
 a set of adapters, wherein each adapter of said set of adapters comprises a tube configured for insertion within dropouts of said fork legs, said tube comprising:
 a wall configured for tightly engaging an outer surface of said axle; 
 a first end, wherein said first end comprises:
 a shoulder extending longitudinally beyond an inner surface of a dropout of said dropouts comprising said first dropout and said second dropout, wherein said shoulder comprises:
 a lip extension configured for holding an edge of a wheel hub of said wheel hubs; and 
 
 
 a second end, a length of said tube being defined from said first end to said second end, said wall comprising: 
 a lengthwise slit defined therein along a longitudinal axis of said tube from said first end to said second end, wherein said lengthwise slit is configured for receiving a hanging tab of an axle pinch shim, thereby positioning said tube with said dropout such that said lip extension holds said edge of said wheel hub during at least one of installation and removal of said axle; and 
 
 a set of axle pinch shims, wherein each axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shim comprises:
 a width and a length, said width configured for enabling said each axle pinch shim to be disposed within an opening of said dropout, said length having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, wherein said dropout comprises:
 a split-clamp pinch bearing defining said opening, said split-clamp pinch bearing comprising:
 a first opposing clamp end; and 
 a second opposing clamp end, wherein said first opposing clamp end and said second opposing clamp end comprises aligned pinch bolt holes configured for receiving pinch bolts; and 
 
 
 
 axle pinch shim bolt holes disposed in said first side of said length of said axle pinch shim and aligned with said pinch bolt holes, said axle pinch shim bolt holes configured for receiving said pinch bolts. 
 
     
     
       6. The axle adapter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said lengthwise slit comprises:
 a jagged pattern disposed at said second end of said tube, wherein said jagged pattern is configured for limiting lateral movement of said axle pinch shim. 
 
     
     
       7. The axle adapter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein a first adapter of said set of adapters comprises a diameter measurement that is different than a second adapter of said set of adapters. 
     
     
       8. The axle adapter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said second side of said length of said each axle pinch shim comprises:
 a hanging tab configured for being inserted into a lengthwise slit, such that said hanging tab prevents at least a rotational movement of said each adapter during said at least one of installation and removal of said axle, wherein said hanging tab is without holes disposed therein. 
 
     
     
       9. The axle adapter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a first hanging tab of a first axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shims is of a different shape from a second hanging tab of a second axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shims. 
     
     
       10. The axle adapter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein a second end of said axle comprises:
 a turn mechanism configured for receiving a turning tool, whereupon said axle rotates upon a turning of said turning tool. 
 
     
     
       11. An axle adapter assembly configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, wherein said axle adapter assembly comprises:
 an axle configured for coupling a first dropout and a second dropout of a first fork leg and second fork leg, respectively, of a lower fork; 
 a first adapter and a second adapter configured for being inserted within said first dropout and said second dropout, respectively; said first adapter and said second adapter configured for engaging an outer surface of said axle and retaining said axle upon engagement; and 
 a first axle pinch shim and a second axle pinch shim configured for being inserted into a first slit of said first dropout, a second slit of said second dropout, a third slit of said first adapter and a fourth slit of said second adapter, wherein upon said insertion, said first adapter and said second adapter are aligned with said first dropout and said second dropout, respectively, such that a first shoulder and a second shoulder of said first adapter and said second adapter, respectively, retain a first edge and a second edge, respectively, of a wheel hub of said wheel hubs. 
 
     
     
       12. The axle adapter assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said third slit of said first adapter comprises:
 a jagged pattern configured for limiting lateral movement of said axle pinch shim during said insertion. 
 
     
     
       13. The axle adapter assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said first axle pinch shim and said second axle pinch shims each comprise:
 a hanging tab configured for being inserted into said third slit of said first adapter and said fourth slit of said second adapter.